Protesters-police clash at Essar plant in Odisha

Protest in front of the main gate of a steel manufacturing company turned violent in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district as agitators clashed with police following which security forces have been deployed at the spot.

Scores of striking employees staged a sit-in dharna in front of the main gate of Essar Steel Limited here this morning pressing for fulfilment of their demands. The agitators were demanding payment of pending salary of last five months and revision in the pay structure.

However, the protest turned violent as a mob-police clash ensued when cops tried to free the area of protesters who had reportedly locked the main gate of the company.

The mob vandalised the police van and went berserk. A police official was injured in the clash.

Following the incident, two platoons of police force have been deployed at the plant site.

As per reports, seven agitators have been arrested for resorting to violence and attacking policemen.

“We have been demanding the officials to clear our dues which are pending since last five months. Besides, they have not increased our salary since long. However, it all fell into deaf years,” an agitator alleged.